Bonito & False Albacore: What's the Fuss?

When we finally had it in the boat, neither one of us knew what it was; later on, another uncle, Gil Joe, a native Scotsman who had spent some time in Bermuda, identified it as a bonito and offered to take it off my hands for grilling.

Since that time I have been perfectly dumb and happy with stripers and an occasional bluefish, so I don't quite understand all the hoo-ha about bonito, false albacore, and Spanish mackerel.

Maybe it's because they've come so easy for me. Just last fall I was passing by Lackeys Bay with Steve Shiraka. The bass fishing hadn't been too good, but I noticed a few crashes and told Steve that they could be little tunny or bonito. He asked if he could take a few casts and I readily agreed. Using a chartreuse and white Hi-Tie he had whipped up for bass, Steve hooked up on his third or fourth cast. The false albacore made two strong runs and ended up next to the boat, so tired that Steve was able to tail it. We didn't even have any of the craziness with a landing net that so many folks talk about.

I know, I know; they're not that easy. I have watched and studied them as they cruise around Vineyard Haven and Edgartown, and I have tossed a few casts their way. It's just when I see the craziness and three-ring circus atmosphere which surrounds them, I keep scratching my head while I say to myself, ``I thought fishing was supposed to relaxing.'' I've seen grown men and women fixated on churning water with zombie like attentiveness, while some of them look like they're ready to cry when a leader pops or the line goes slack when the fish charge the boat.

Still, they are an exciting bunch, those doing the pursuing and those that are pursued. So I queried some folks from around here who have some pretty impressive credentials and a heck of a lot more experience with all three species than I do.

I can't imagine a better start than with Captain Leslie Smith of Backlash Charters; after all she does hold a couple of I.G.F.A. world records for bonito: ``As to my favorite bonito fly, definitely the white bunny fly. I always start out with it, especially in the low light of dawn, when the fish start to pop up. Later I'll switch to a more standard sand eel or silverside imitation. I use a long leader, 9 foot, no more than 10 lb, and use the standard bonito strip, two handed.''

From down at Fishing the Cape in Harwich, Peter Alves has had a number of encounters with bonito and little tunny and advised ``For bonito I favor the following: an 8 weight rod with either a slime line or depth charge 300 grain, 12 pound mirage tippet and a size #2 white bunny fly. I prefer a two-handed fast strip but I have picked them up with slower retrieves as well.''

Bob Paccia (Bflyfish1@aol.com )had some interesting points to make about bonito fishing which are worth considering, as well as a funny story which illustrates the gap that exists between the rest of the world and those who go mad for bonito!

``The mailman gave me a weak smile, and obviously seeking sympathy said, `Whew, what do you think of this heat wave?'

`Absolutely terrific', I responded. `This should certainly bring them in.'

`Bring who in?' he asked, with a confused look on his face.

`The Bonito' I shouted!

`Bonito, Bonito?' he answered, `No, I don't think they're on my route.'

`I guess they are not,' I said. `Well, have a good day anyway.'

WHAT FLY? As to your question about what is my favorite bonito fly, I would have to say that it would have to be Page Rogers' Bonito Bunny or a variant of that pattern. The reason is simple: versatility. I generally use a longish white one. That way I can quickly make a number of modifications to the fly to suit the the existing conditions. For example, if the bait is small, I can bite part of the tail off to match the size. If the bait is very thin (sand eels), I can bite off some of the collar. I carry several `Prismcolor Markers,' allowing me to instantly change a fly's color, add spots, stripes or eyes. I can add a tungsten bead either directly to the fly or ahead of the fly to give me added depth or diving action. How much more versatility can you ask of a fly?

PRESENTATION: As far as presentation is concerned, this is where bonito can drive a fly fishing guide to drink (and often does). Do you two hand strip at a blinding speed? Do you use a slow pulsating strip? Do you use a "greased line"sort of retrieve? Or, how about a dead drift presentation? Should you chase them? Wait for them to come to you? Should you resort to using chum? For the answer to these questions and many, many more, hire a good guide! No, really the answer is that all of the above are used depending on the circumstances. You have to observe what is going on and try to anticipate what is going to happen next. Don't spend all your time changing flies. It is much more important to concentrate on presentation. Remember, in real estate it's location, location, location. In fly fishing it's location,presentation , presentation. I have always been a strong believer in using a fly that you have confidence in and sticking with it rather than spending valuable fishing time tying on every creation that you have. Have you ever wondered why the best fish of the day always seem to show when you're trying to tie that damn fly on; it always seems to happen that way. Think about it: wouldn't you have had a shot at that fish if your line was in the water? Clients often remark that I always seem to get more strikes and hook-ups than they do. I tactfully try to point out that part of the reason is that I make very few back casts. I fish every cast (even the bad casts) with the same intensity. I keep my hook razor sharp and I rarely change flies. Also, over forty years of fly fishing in salt water may give me a small edge.

LINES AND LEADERS: Although I do use intermediate fly lines on occasion, a Wulff triangle taper sinking line is my bread and butter line. It allows me to get off quick and accurate casts and it has a very dependable sink rate. Most fly fishermen (more correctly fly fisherpersons) that I meet are using intermediate lines probably because they see the bonito that are on the surface, but remember, for every one that you see topside there will be ten or more below the surface. Be sure that you have a minimum of 150 yards of 30# backing on your reel. Bonito will rarely get you that far into your backing, but if you happen to get into a false albacore of any size, you'll be glad for the extra backing. For leaders it depends upon the circumstances. If we are fishing off the beach or from a boat, I try to stay on the light side, say 6# or 8# test. Sometimes I can get away with 10# if I use a fluorocarbon tippet. Under normal semiclear water conditions, a five or six foot leader will suffice. However, if the water is gin clear or the fish are extra spooky, I'll use leaders up to twelve feet. Knotted leaders are fine unless there is a lot of weed in the water. Knotless leaders will save you much aggravation in dirty water.

CATCH AND RELEASE: Remember catch and release, but also keep in mind that these speedsters are a little different than stripers and bluefish and they require special handling if you want them to survive after you release them. Because of their outstanding speed and long energy-robbing runs, they are usually nearly spent when you get them in. Don't be afraid to put some pressure on these fish. The sooner you can get them in, the better their chances. Usually the standard back and forth style revival will not work. Throwing them back in head first and straight down in a football style release is the best method of release providing that the water is deep enough.''

Chip Gouger from the Fly Shop in West Barnstable is equally enamored with the white bunny fly tied with some pearl glimmer in number 2 to 6 sizes when it comes to bonito and false albacore, but he also will turn to chartreuse at times; after that, it's anybody's bet. In fact, Chip is firmly convinced that having confidence in a certain pattern is critical; he added that no two people fish a fly exactly, so one person's favorite can be worthless in the hands of another.

Eyes are not important to him either; all of his flies are tied without them. What he does like is red heads on all his silverside and sand eel imitations, since the gill area is a prominent feature. Chip also likes the concept of the new E-Z Sparkle Body on the head of a fly, but hasn't had a lot of experience with it.

Contrary to what a lot of folks think, Chip isn't convinced that bonito are particularly leader shy. He has caught them fishing with Walter Ungermann using 30 and 40 pound shock tippets, so the lightest he goes is 8 pound with 10 to 12 his normal starting point.

The hand over hand strip is out with Chip, who favors a long single strip to the side; you can move the fly farther with one strip and the retrieve is a little more erratic, which he thinks is important. No matter what retrieve you use, get it started once the fly hits the water.

While the white bunny certain holds sway with many folks, Bill Pew from Bill Fisher Tackle on Nantucket had no qualms about naming a different favorite: D. L. Goddard's Firecracker, fished on as light a tippet as possible, usually 6 or 8 pound, with no lengthening of the normal nine foot leader Bill uses.

Jeff Heyer from Cross Rip Outfitters, another fine shop on Nantucket, agreed with Bill that the Mystic Hard Body Shiner is an island favorite, but he also likes small white Deceivers and smaller epoxy patterns. Jeff also likes the looks of Page Rogers' Rhody Chovy and Bob Popovics' Deep Water Candy, which is just like his Surf Candy but has a bead head and therefore gets down a bit more.

Two spots where the bonito usually show in good numbers are the jetties at Nantucket Harbor and the end of Eel Point. Jeff suggests spending 10 to 15 minutes watching the fish if you are in a boat; you'll notice a pattern as they push the bait into a point or other structure, attack, and then swim downtide, only to resurface near the same location again. Shore bound anglers don't have this luxury and usually are forced to cast when they can, especially in shallower water as it drops.

Jeff likes 9 to 10 foot leaders and fluorocarbon tippets, starting with as heavy as 14 to 16 pound and then working his way down if the fish are around but not taking the fly.

Well, there you have it. I'm sure I'll be getting more feedback and look forward to your insights. Now if I can only get Gene to at least look at a bonito or little tunny . . . .

Reel -Time

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